Defense

Bush signs bill authorizing fence along border with Mexico

Democratic leaders criticize the measure, noting it provides no actual construction funding.

Defense

Three judges set to hear Defense personnel reform appeal

Pentagon releases results of survey indicating first entrants to new system are satisfied; unions dismiss findings.

Defense

TSA faces staffing disparities at airports

Initial administrative staffing plans "lacked coherency," leading to inconsistencies across airports, inspector general says.

Defense

Arizona has tough fight ahead against illegal immigration

Arrests decreased slightly in fiscal 2006, but officials cite greater violence.

Defense

Bush touts grassroots enthusiasm for GOP candidates

Bush opened session with reporters with a statement on Iraq, in which he acknowledged "serious concern" with the stepped-up violence of the last month.

Defense

OMB rejects Army bid for bigger share of 2008 budget

Administration officials agreed to a figure nearly $18 billion below what senior officers say the service needs.

Defense

Overhead reached 55 percent in some Iraq contracts

Review finds long idle periods racked up charges in construction projects.

Defense

Intelligence, homeland security agencies sharpen surveillance methods

Techniques under development include gait recognition and keystroke analyses of typing rhythms.

Defense

Defense official: Changes necessary to meet 'net-centric' goals

“Need to know" regime is changing to one that focuses on "the need to share," senior official says.

Defense

DHS officials to submit plan soon for visitor tracking system

More than half of the fiscal 2007 funding the Homeland Security spending bill provides for the program will be held up until the plan is ready.

Defense

Details emerge on Pentagon performance management system

Rating scales, types of goals, weighting scheme all included in recently released information.

Defense

Contracts to shield planes from missiles are awarded

Department has awarded $7.4 million to three companies to evaluate and demonstrate technology for defeating shoulder-fired missiles.

Defense

Iraq reconstruction oversight office to expand, then disband

Senators condemn provision in recently signed authorization law to terminate oversight group in late 2007.

Defense

Dem says GOP's port bill tactics hurt bipartisan relations

Ranking member of House Homeland Security panel is angry Democrats weren’t allowed to offer amendments during final conference negotiations.

Defense

Report cites delays in clearance appeals process at State

Inspectors find no evidence to support allegations that the department revoked clearances for nonsecurity reasons, however.

Defense

Watchdog cites flaws in transportation ID program

Challenges include enrolling workers and issuing cards in a timely manner, and ensuring biometric readers work effectively.

Defense

Pentagon pursues more 'proactive' liaison role on Hill

New guidance motivated by desire to have office better reflect changing bureaucracy in the Pentagon and respond faster to requests for information.

Defense

Defense punts on Iraq contractor census

Researcher says that overall, contractors and grantees working for agencies outnumber civil servants by more than 5 to 1.

Defense

U.S. options to control violence in Iraq narrowing

Country lacks the support and resources for all-out war effort, leaving few palatable choices.

Defense

Agency explores new tool to connect intelligence dots

Document for prospective contractors offers blunt assessment of flaws in efforts to profile terrorists, including inability to move beyond “guilt by association” models.